An attorney for two individuals charged with assault in the Montgomery Riverfront brawl in August filed a motion on Thursday asking the judge to recuse herself, alleging she is “predisposed” against the defense.
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Terry Luck, the attorney for defendants Allen Todd and Zachery Shipman, argued his clients would not receive a fair trial under the current judge.
Todd and Shipman were on the pontoon boat blocking the dock where the Harriott II was attempting to park. Both have been charged with assaulting the riverboat’s co-captain Dameion Pickett after he asked them to move, and they engaged in a verbal altercation.
The incident evolved into an all-out brawl involving both males and females, which was caught on cell phone camera and posted all over the internet. In one of the videos of the incident, police could be seen handcuffing participants on both sides of the conflict.
Two other members of the pontoon boat crew have been sentenced already. Mary Todd pleaded guilty to harassment in October. Richard Roberts pleaded guilty to two assault charges.
Luck suggested the judge said Pickett, being a city employee, is receiving special treatment. He also pointed to the judge’s approval of plea offers despite allegedly claiming the pleas were unfair to Pickett during the plea process.
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